Hernia Mesh Complications Require Florida Man to Live with a Colostomy Bag

In a hernia mesh lawsuit filed on August 31, 2017, a Florida man claims that after he was implanted with a C. R. Bard mesh product during a hernia repair, he suffered serious injuries. The case is pending in Volusia County, Florida.

Bard Hernia Mesh Causes Damage to the Bowel

According to his complaint, the plaintiff underwent surgery to repair a hernia on April 9, 2013 during which his surgeon used a 20 x 15 CM Bard mesh product. Mesh products are frequently used during hernia repairs to help shore up and support weakened and distended tissues and muscles.

The plaintiff states that following the surgery he started to suffer from pain and swelling, along with other symptoms associated with infection of the surgical mesh. The plaintiff had to undergo corrective surgeries, and on August 6, 2015, he went in to have the mesh removed. During the surgery, doctors discovered that the mesh had corroded into the plaintiff’s bowel.

The damage was so severe that the surgeon had to remove the part of the bowel. As a result, the plaintiff now has to use a colostomy bag and will have to do so for the rest of his life.

The plaintiff blames C. R. Bard for failing to “eliminate unreasonable risk of foreseeable injury,” and for failing to manufacture the product according to its intended use. He brings counts of negligent manufacturing and strict liability.

C. R. Bard in Court for Other Mesh Products

This case joins a growing number of hernia mesh lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who were implanted with mesh products and then went on to suffer from serious injuries and complications. Many cases have involved the Atrium C-Qur hernia mesh and the Ethicon Physiomesh, but as the public becomes more aware of the issues associated with mesh, it is likely that lawsuits against other manufacturers, such as C.R. Bard, will grow.

The Kugel mesh, for example, also made by C. R. Bard, was recalled in 2005 because of problems like infections and hernia recurrence. The company later released the product with an updated design, but it was recalled again in 2006 and 2007 because of breakage and bowel perforations. The company has paid millions in lawsuit settlements related to this mesh.

Other Bard mesh products linked with health issues include the 3D Max, the Sepramesh, and the PerFix.

FDA Warns About Hernia Mesh Complications

In 2014, the FDA released a safety communication warning doctors and patients about potential complications that could occur with surgical mesh used to repair hernias. They had received reports of complications associated with these mesh products, including adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to each other or the mesh), injuries to nearby organs, nerve damage, blood vessel damage, and organ injury.

Most of the complications reported were associated with mesh products that were recalled, but the FDA is continuing to evaluate other incoming reports. They advised patients to talk to their doctors before going through hernia surgery, to be sure they fully understand the risks.

Exclusively focused on representing plaintiffs, especially in mass tort litigation, Eric Chaffin prides himself on providing unsurpassed professional legal services in pursuit of the specific goals of his clients and their families. Both his work and his cases have been featured in the national press, including on ABC’s Good Morning America.